Paragraph 18 (Today)While justly angry,God did not turn awayfrom a world bent on destructionbut turned to face it in love.With patience and tender carethe Lord set outon the long road of redemptionto reclaim the lost as his peopleand the world as his kingdom.

It's a holiday so I will not write much of my own thoughts today. Instead, please have a look at this David Brooks article, "The Moral Meaning of the Plague," which Bill vG shared. In the article, Brooks says that this time we are in with COVID-19 can be redemptive. He goes further, in fact, and says it can be a source of the very meaning of life: " It’s the way we tie our moment of suffering to a larger narrative of redemption."

What do you think? Does Brooks overstate things, or are you seeing signs of redemption during this pandemic? If so, where? Share your thoughts below, or send me an email at [email protected]

Let's pray: "Dear Lord, thank you for setting out on that long road of redemption, and doing so in love. Thank you for your restoring, reclaiming, redemptive plan. Thank you for Jesus."

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come,Your will be doneOn earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.Forgive us our debts,As we also have forgiven our debtors.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Our song and blessing for today come from Pearl - a Canadian, quarantine recording of "The Blessing." Do you know any people or churches who contributed to this beautiful version?

Pastor Mark

PS – My online office hours tomorrow are 11-noon and 1-2pm. Drop in if you'd like to chat, or just say hi!

PSS - I'm repeating a great reminder from Nellie- "I really strongly encourage people to sing out loud (with the links or other songs they know and love) ) even if they feel they can't sing, or feel weird when alone- singing aloud can help to elevate the positive effects of music and sense of worship."

3 Comments

Hank Kuntz19 days ago

Dave Brooks, dead on, as usual I might say. Where was the article?
Are not all things part of God's narrative, even though it may be hard to see the redemptive value aspect. I am still amazed how some tough things in my life turned out to be the things that showed that "he leadeth me".
I am also reminded of Dr. James VanderLaan, blind from birth, alzheimer's late in life, then end stage Parkinson, when his wife Eunice asked "why, why, after a lifetime of disability, why do you have to take this one too?"
His unhurried, calm and measured reply was "I suggest you take that up with the Almighty".
Loved that man.

Mark Broadus19 days ago

"I suggest you take that up with the Almighty". That is indeed a fine line! I may just borrow it from Dr. VanderLaan.

If you click on the words, "The Moral Meaning of the Plague" (above), the article SHOULD pop up; or cut and paste this into your browser: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/opinion/coronavirus-meaning.html

Peggy Durrant19 days ago

I felt invigorated as I listened to this song. Yes, I also know people/church who contributed to this very uplifting rendition. Beautifully done! Thanks Pearl for suggesting it.